Shows
On the LineDOUBLE FEATURE: Texarkana, Arkansas, Mayor Allen Brown • Texarkana, Texas, native and horror author Robert E. StahlIn the 100th episode of "On the Line," host Karl Richter speaks with Texarkana, Arkansas, Mayor Allen Brown as he explains the November 2025 city bond issue election meant to fund street and drainage improvements.
At the 51:30 mark, horror author Robert E. Stahl talks about his journey as an author and his debut collection of short stories, "Show Me Where It Hurts."
2025-10-241h 03
On the LineLOCAL HISTORY | Food in Texarkana around 1900Dr. Laura Sikes returns to discuss what a typical Texarkana family would have eaten each day around the turn of the 20th century. Where did their food come from? How was it preserved and prepared? Dr. Sikes answers those questions and many more. Get ready to get hungry!
LINKS
Email Karl
Email Laura
2025-10-0956 min
On the LineRep. Nathaniel Moran returnsU.S. House Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-1) sat down with Karl on Monday, April 21, 2025, for his second "On the Line" interview. Topics included the economy and tariffs, separation of government powers, tax policy, and more, including some questions raised by Texarkana Gazette readers.
2025-04-2436 min
On the LineTalisha Ingram, two-time Texas powerlifting champMallory Wyatt talked with DeKalb (Texas) High School's Talisha Ingram, who recently won her second consecutive state powerlifting championship. Ingram and her coach Troy Zeringue about her preparation, her attitude and what's next in her athletic career.
2025-04-1119 minOn the LineIntroducing ‘150 Years of the Texarkana Gazette’If you like "On the Line," give this a listen. It's the latest episode of our new podcast "150 Years of the Texarkana Gazette."
Karl Richter and Dr. Laura Sikes, history professor at" TAMU-Texarkana, chat about the Gazette's February history special section. It's filled with news stories that happened in Februaries over the course of the Gazette's 150 years.
2025-03-2829 min
On the LineENCORE | Jennifer Lacefield, Executive Director, Randy Sams Outreach ShelterUPDATE: Randy Sams' annual dueling pianos fundraiser is April 24, 2025.
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Karl spoke with Jennifer Lacefield, executive director of Texarkana's Randy Sams Outreach Shelter, about what the shelter does, who the local homeless population is and what they need, and what we all can do to help.
LINKS
Randy Sams website
Randy Sams Facebook page
2025-03-2827 min
On the LineDOUBLE FEATURE: Hailey Wright of “The Voice” • The history of Arkansas newspapersIn this two-part episode, Karl first speaks with Redwater, Texas' own Hailey Wright, who is appearing on NBC singing competition show "The Voice."
Then Arkansas State Historian David Ware and Katie Adkins, project director/archivist of the Arkansas Digital Newspaper Project, tell Karl about the history and preservation of Arkansas newspapers.
LINKS
"The Voice"
Chronicling America - Library of Congress newspaper archive
Email Karl Richter
2025-03-0734 min
On the LineLOCAL HISTORY | RailroadsKarl talked with Dr. Laura Sikes about railroads' importance in the founding and early development of Texarkana.
OTHER LOCAL HISTORY EPISODES
The Caddo Nation, Part 1
The Caddo Nation, Part 2
The Great Red River Raft
LINKS
Email Karl
Email Laura
The Texarkana Gazette Community Journalism Project
The Gazette at 150
Podcast: 150 Years of the Texarkana Gazette
Texas State Railroad (Palestine-Rusk round trip)
2025-02-2046 min
On the LineTexarkana Public Library turns 100Olivia Poulton, executive director of Texarkana Public Library, and Mallory Wyatt, member of the TPL Centennial Committee, talk about celebrating the 100th anniversary of the library's founding in 1925. Fun monthly events through the year will lead to a black tie gala, and there's a lot more.
They and Karl also discuss the various — and sometimes surprising — services the library offers the community.
LINKS
Texarkana Public Library website
Texarkana Public Library Facebook page
2025-02-0726 minOn the LineGazette at 150 and a look back at 2024's interviews
The year’s first episode looks back at 2024 and forward to 2025.
Gazette GM and Editor James Bright explained the new Texarkana Gazette Community Journalism Project and its goal: to raise $150,000 in honor of the Gazette’s 150th anniversary in 2025. Proceeds will be used for the sole purpose of supporting professional local news reporting.
In part two, host and producer Karl Richter takes listeners through a review of 2024’s “On the Line” interviews, introducing a clip from each.
2025-01-0931 min
On the LineENCORE: Thanksgiving cooking with Chef Cory HouseKarl got some cooking advice from Cory House, executive chef of the Texas High School Culinary Arts Academy.
From his preferred turkey roasting method to making the perfect mac and cheese, House shared tips meant to reduce the stress that can come with one of the biggest meals of the year.
2024-11-2532 min
On the LineNorm Lewis, Broadway starKarl talked with Norm Lewis, the acclaimed singer and actor who will perform his solo show "Blockbuster Broadway" with the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra at the Perot Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024.
LINKS
Norm Lewis official website
The Perot Theatre
Texarkana Symphony Orchestra
2024-11-0718 min
On the LineENCORE: "Rocky Horror" superfan Larry ViezelLarry Viezel has been passionate about “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” for three decades and is president of the Official Fan Club.
In 2022, he and Karl talked about the show's history, cast, music and what's made it so special to generations of fans.
Texarkana's Perot Theatre will present “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
LINKS
Tickets: "Rocky Horror" at the Perot
"The Rocky Horror Treasury: A Tribute to the Ultimate Cult Classic"
2024-10-1819 min
On the LineLOCAL HISTORY | The Great Red River RaftThis episode is the third in our new local history series featuring Dr. Laura Sikes, assistant professor of history and director of the Red River Center for Regional History and Culture at Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
Laura continues the series with the history of the Great Raft, a miles-long logjam that blocked travel and shipping via the Red River for centuries.
LINKS
Source — "No Hope! The Story of the Great Red River Raft," by Mitchel Whitington
Send Karl an email
Send Dr. Sikes an email
2024-08-3052 min
On the LineHigh School Football PreviewTexarkana Gazette Sports Director Jason Hopkins and reporter Austin Litterell talk about the 2024 edition of "The Audible," our comprehensive local and regional high school football preview magazine.
Follow "On the Line" with your favorite podcast app
Listen to previous episodes of "On the Line" and other Starbear Studio podcasts
2024-08-1921 min
On the LineDr. Jenny McCormack Walker, Literacy Texas executive directorIn January 2024, Dr. Jenny McCormack Walker became executive director of Literacy Texas, a nonprofit that supports adult education efforts statewide. She previously was executive director of the Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties in Texarkana, Texas.
She and Karl talked about her new role, the upcoming annual Literacy Texas conference, and her views of the adult education landscape across the state.
LINKS
Literacy Texas
Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties
2024-07-2530 minOn the LineMatt Solomon, Historic Preservation Officer, Texarkana, TexasTexarkana native Matt Solomon became the Texas side's Historic Preservation Officer in January 2024, and he wasted no time getting to work compiling a survey of the city's historic markers.
He and Karl talked about his plans to replace and reinstall some local markers, as well as people and places worthy of future markers. They also spoke about Texarkana, Texas, City Hall, and preparations to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its official opening in 2025.
2024-06-2848 min
On the LineAllen Brown, mayor of Texarkana, ArkansasSecond-term Arkansas-side Mayor Allen Brown and Karl talk about a variety of topics including economic development, hiring for key city government positions and street repair.
2024-06-1434 min
On the LineLOCAL HISTORY | The Caddo Nation, Part 2
This episode is the second in our new local history series featuring Dr. Laura Sikes, assistant professor of history and director of the Red River Center for Regional History and Culture at Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
Laura starts the series with the history of the Texarkana region’s original residents, the Caddo Nation.
LINKS
Source — “Caddo Indians: Where We Come From,” by Cecile Elkins Carter
Caddo Indian Pottery Collection at Northeast Texas Community College
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site
Send Karl an email
Send Dr...
2024-05-2442 min
On the LineLOCAL HISTORY | The Caddo Nation, Part 1This episode is the first in our new local history series featuring Dr. Laura Sikes, assistant professor of history and director of the Red River Center for Regional History and Culture at Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
Laura starts the series with the history of the Texarkana region’s original residents, the Caddo Nation.
LINKS
Source — “Caddo Indians: Where We Come From,” by Cecile Elkins Carter
Caddo Indian Pottery Collection at Northeast Texas Community College
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site
Send Karl an email
Send Dr. Sikes an...
2024-05-1039 min
On the LineSPECIAL EDITION: Lloyd Jackson, superintendent, Texarkana Arkansas School DistrictThe Gazette's Mallory Wyatt spoke with Lloyd Jackson, the recently hired superintendent of Texarkana Arkansas School District. Jackson talked about his background, his educational philosophy and his plans for the district.
2024-04-2522 min
On the LineIntroducing Local History with Dr. Laura SikesOn the Line's new local history series begins May 10, 2024.
Dr. Laura Sikes, assistant professor of history and director of the Red River Center for Regional History and Culture at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, will join Karl to discuss the story of our city and region.
2024-04-2404 min
On the LineScott Dikkers, comedy writer, co-founder of The OnionGazette reporter Mallory Wyatt joined Karl to talk with Scott Dikkers, a comedy writer and comedy writing teacher best know as a co-founder and longtime editor of the satirical newspaper The Onion.
He was in town to speak at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, where the interview took place.
Scott talked about his background and career, as well as his perspective on comedy in a time when daily life can be all too serious, whether there's anything out of bounds to joke about, how to be funnier and a lot more.
LINKS
...
2024-04-1833 min
On the LineFouke Monster expert Lyle BlackburnThanks to the movie “The Legend of Boggy Creek,” the Fouke Monster is one of the most famous creatures ever to strike a chord in popular culture.
That’s why the annual Fouke Monster Festival remains a tradition in Southwest Arkansas. This year, it’s April 26 and 27.
The festival wouldn’t be the same without Lyle Blackburn, the researcher and documentary filmmaker who literally wrote the books — plural — on the monster.
Lyle joined Karl from his home in Fort Worth to provide a little Fouke Monster 101 and talk about the sasquatch phenomenon in general.
2024-03-2932 min
On the LineJanet Ivey-Duensing, science educatorStudents can visit our planetary neighborhood this month — without even leaving the Perot Theatre.
“Janet’s Planet: A Tour of the Solar System” is a show with a purpose, to encourage children to engage with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) subjects.
Longtime science educator Janet Ivey-Duensing, the show’s creator and host, knows how to make the process a blast.
She and Karl also talked about how to prepare for the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse and what to expect when it happens.
The show is just one part of the Janet’...
2024-03-1436 min
BODY LAND: Guided Meditations to Relax, Recharge, and Self-RegulateThis is Body Land: Welcome to your Source for Imaginative Guided MeditationsWelcome to Body Land Metaphor Medicine, a creative approach to meditation, mindfulness, and somatic connection. I’m your host, Liz Asch Greenhill, Portland, Oregon acupuncturist, and writer. I’m so glad you’re here. Special Thanks to my patients for coming in and being my canvases of ideaphoria and metaphorical painting. And thank you to helpers Leslie Huddart, Niyati Evers-King, Anusuya Starbear, Jason Powers, Breesa Culver, Sanae Yamada, Alissa Beddow, Kara Marie Dean, and Bruce Patterson.
2019-12-0201 min
Braden Storytelling GrantOf Madness and Magic by Mischa ShoniWhat differentiates what is labeled as mental dysfunction—mania, psychosis, seizures—from what is magic, spirit, or simply … beyond the scientific method? Mischa Shoni embarks on a journey to understand her own brain. On the path, she meets dragons, gryphons, crystal-eyed snakes … and some extraordinary people who see the mind beyond the limited lens of psychiatry.
This project was supported by a Braden Grant from Stanford Storytelling Project. For more information about the Braden Grant for the Study of Oral Narrative, go here:
web.stanford.edu/group/storytelli….php/grants.html
Producer: Mischa Shoni
Featur...
2015-01-0121 min
Madness RadioMultiple Worlds: Anusuya StarBearIs it possible to navigate the “multiple worlds” that emerge during psychotic experiences? Are voices and altered states also like a shamanic journey, needing guidance to find your way?
Anusuya StarBear has heard voices and gone through altered states her whole life. A tragic near-death experience 20 years ago left her with severe and chronic physical pain — and the calling to be a healer. Today visionary painting and Native American spirituality transform her pain into a creative pathway as a Process Oriented therapist, coach, and energy healer.
http://www.anusuyastarbear.com/The post Multiple Worlds...
2012-10-0152 min